We come from the land of the ice and snow

[faderifting]

WHO: Open to all
WHAT: Thedas' strange new guests are delivered to Skyhold
WHEN: 25 Harvestmere (October)
WHERE: Skyhold main gate & courtyard
NOTES: This is Part I of a two-part intro event, Part II will be posted tomorrow.

A long uphill tromp through the snowy mountains ends at Skyhold, the distant fortress finally before them in all its tumble-down glory. There is time to admire the drop into the river gorge far below as they cross the only bridge into the castle; it is briefly backed up with traffic, several carts bearing supplies and visitors stalled as the portcullis is raised. Those coming to help catalog and unload the shipment and greet the guests, or otherwise present near the front courtyard, will find themselves witness to a far more interesting arrival.

Guards at the gate carry the word quickly, and more gather, though they make no move to imprison the strange people who fell out of a rift. They just line the perimeter and keep a close watch. Perhaps this adds a level of tension to this first encounter, but it also reassures the many who are unsettled by the uncertain turn of events and keeps in check those who might attack first and ask questions later. Others will no doubt soften the Inquisition's first impression, offering food, information, and other assistance.

Medical attention is available in the tented-encircled corner of the courtyard where the wounded from Haven are still treated. The quartermaster's assistant is called upon to provide spare odds and ends of clothing to those in need, and to issue blankets for all, though they are left to fend for themselves to find places to sleep.

Any mage willing to help is called in to do so and a cluster forms in one side of the courtyard to examine the rifters. They are objects of curiosity in general, but the marks on their hands are of particular interest, resembling smaller slivers of the Herald's famous mark. Despite their best efforts, no mage will be able to provide any real insight after this initial assessment. What the rifters and their marks are is a question they cannot answer today.

But one question is answered: in the midst of all the commotion, another Inquisition agent arrives from Haven, rushing in red-faced to announce that the Herald's body has finally been found.


OOC

It will be decided (partly for OOC reasons, admittedly) that the rifters will not be imprisoned at this point, but they will be watched carefully, and the guards are on alert for any strange behavior by people with glowing hands or strange attire. And of course, their freedom can be revoked at any time if they're deemed a danger. Though there are some OOC considerations at play here, you're welcome to ICly lobby for more or less freedom for the rifters, and things may change based on IC action/consensus.

Also: Part II, aka the log for the funeral/wake/etc. event, will go up tomorrow!

Comments

[noleechesneeded]

It wasn't that he didn't expect to be told to take it easy, but the manner of the command certainly surprised him. Simon's brow lifted, his movements appearing guilty as he leaned away from the low table and mug even if he had nothing to be guilty of. It was certainly true that he had his limits and was in very real danger of hitting them if he pushed himself too hard. Though like Adelaide, he had other reserves to call on if he wished.

The difference for him was that revealing that capacity, let alone using it, was tantamount to suicide.

"Yes," he answered after only a moment for the certainty of it all to sink in. There was no arguing with her tone, though Simon couldn't say he wanted to. The mere offer of having someone to talk about River's condition with was all the incentive Simon needed to obey...and the way things were going, he could easily see himself trusting Adelaide with more than vague descriptions of what was wrong.

"...when would be a good time, do you think?" he asked mildly.

[fleurdesel]

"Midafternoon." She took her tea with Bruce in the evening, at the end of a long day when she knew full well he hadn't taken a break since lunch. At least when he did remember to break to eat. It would be time enough for them to all see plenty of work done and patients treated, without leaving them to work themselves into exhaustion.

[noleechesneeded]

Simon tilted his head slightly and nodded, lips thinned between his teeth.

"Then I'll see you that time tomorrow," he said, letting out a soft breath and pushing back up to his feet. The movement turned into an almost bow, more an incline of the head...and if she didn't have anything more for him, he would take his leave to get that final hour started.

Of course, he'd probably stretch it into restocking his tent and spending time with River, but that didn't count as work in his opinion.